Americans urged to avoid Venezuela: Level 4 travel warning remains in place

Tamara Walker, Asbury Park Press

There's another vacation destination to cross off your travel list.

The U.S. Department of State has reissued a travel warning for a popular South American spot with a Level 4: Do Not Travel Advisory to all Americans.

The Department of State is urging Americans to not travel to Venezuela due to crime, civil unrest, kidnapping and the arbitrary enforcement of local laws.

The reissue comes after a routine, periodic review with minor edits pursuant to Department of State standard processes, the advisory said.

Violent crimes, such as homicide, armed robbery, kidnapping and carjacking are common in Venezuela. There is also a high risk of Americans being wrongfully detained. Terrorism and poor health infrastructure have also been recorded.

Since 2019, the U.S. Department of State withdrew all diplomatic personnel from U.S. Embassy in Caracas and has no ability to provide emergency services to U.S. citizens in Venezuela.

If you decide to to travel to Venezuela, despite the advisory, here are some precautions to follow, according to the State Department:

  • Avoid all land border crossings into Venezuela on the Colombian border.

  • Ensure you have a valid Venezuelan visa. Visas are not available upon arrival.

  • Be prepared for the high risk of indefinite detention without consular access.

  • Draft a will and designate appropriate insurance beneficiaries and/or power of attorney.

  • Develop a communication plan with family and/or your employer or host organization. Establish a “proof of life” protocol with your loved ones, so that if you are taken hostage, your loved ones know specific questions (and answers) to ask the hostage-takers to be sure that you are alive (and to rule out a hoax).

  • Have a contingency plan in place that does not rely on U.S. government assistance.

  • Keep travel documents up to date and easily accessible.

  • Avoid travel between cities, or between Simón Bolívar International Airport and Caracas at night.

  • Do not take unregulated taxis from the Maiquetia “Simón Bolívar” International Airport and avoid ATMs in this area.

  • Consider hiring a professional security organization.

This article originally appeared on Asbury Park Press: Venezuela Travel Advisory 2024: Safety concerns prompt Level 4 warning

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